Team building is the process or act of inducing a group of people to work together more effectively as a unit. Team building usually involves activities and functions that aim at motivating workers to perform their duties judiciously, as well as, create a bond amongst and between these workers.

Getting members of your team to work together in a tense and conflict-free environment helps and increases productivity. Team building days are those days dedicated to improving the relationship of members of a team through various bonding activities.

Why is Team Building Important?

Below are seven highlighted reasons why team building is a necessity.

●    Improves Communication

Team building activities have been known to create an atmosphere for discussions and healthy banter between administrators and employees and among employees. The fact that the mood in place is a jovial one, free of work stress and other serious distractions helps even the meekest of individual open up. The advantage of this is that it improves work relationships and also allows for contributions that could aid productivity.

Poor communication is a parasite that if not tackled can run down any business as it limits the organisation’s ability to be fully efficient and productive, hence, the need for the improvement of the communication skills of staff in an organisation.

●    Boosts Staff Morale

The process of building your team and the actions that go into doing so allows the individuals in the said team to be comfortable enough to communicate freely as stated above and also express their minds and thoughts. The more they share their thoughts about issues in the organisation or give ideas on ways to improve the organisation, they get more confident and feel worthy and this, in turn, encourages them to do better and be more productive. The benefits involved with boosting the morale of employees cannot be overlooked as it is intrinsic to the growth of an organisation.

Additionally, cultivating a work environment that strikes a balance between work and playtime its a good morale booster and that is what team building activities provide. These activities are fun and engaging and create an ambience that is charged and exciting.

●    Enhances the Level of Trust

When the staff in a workplace are given job assignments to tackle together, they are in competition with one another and wary, trying to outsmart the other and be seen as the challenge solver and this breeds unhealthy rivalry and animosity in the workplace. However, a project outside the regular job duties helps them relax and be more trusting and open to ideas. There is the realisation that there are no penalties involved in handling the project wrong or finishing last. The bond, trust and support created during this period of team building follow through to when they return to their office tasks because they have come to see the need for teamwork and togetherness.

Furthermore, in most cases, there is a gap between the administrators and the employees and this leads to a disconnect and total distrust which is unhealthy in the workplace. During team building activities both the leaders and their workers become colleagues who want to just have fun and tackle challenges given to them to solve and this helps to reduce the existing gap between both strata.

●    Allows for Identification of Strengths and Weaknesses

Team building activities enable employers or leaders to notice the strengths and weaknesses of their employees or subordinates. These traits might not be obvious when regular job tasks are been done. Some of these activities require agility, alertness, quantitative, verbal and abstract reasoning, public speaking and presentation etc. and an observant employer would notice how each and every one of his staff is faring while these activities are carried out. The information gathered could then be used to set up a more effective chain of production at the workplace.

●    Promotes Creativity and Ideas

Creativity is important in the workplace, however, while some find it easy to be creative and voice out their ideas, creativity doesn’t come naturally to others. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the employer or the team leader to encourage ideas and push his staff into thinking outside the box and come up with innovative and productive ideas. Team building activities or exercises bring individuals together, enabling them to be at ease and this sense of togetherness is a great way to encourage creativity.

Engaging your team in activities outside the office setting and opening them to new experiences triggers ideas that would naturally not pop up in the regular office environment. Also, because these activities are for both the management and the employees, the latter would want to think and dish out ideas if not for any reason but to prove themselves to their bosses.

●    Builds Stronger Working Relationship

Great working relationship increases effectiveness and productivity, as every hand is on deck and there are no squabbles and tension in the environment. Team building activities encourage networking and socializing among employees and between employers and employees. The workplace is where most people spend a larger percentage of their time and it is with the same set of people, it is, therefore, natural for friction to occur from time to time. The opportunity to clear the air and also create a more friendly atmosphere is what team building activities offer.

Some people develop cordial relationships or even deeper relationships with their colleagues during these activities. It is not surprising to discover that people in the workplace do not speak to one another beyond the regular ‘hello’ when they meet at the hallway or in the elevator. Team building activities encourage staff to know more about one another and offer assistance and support if need be.

●    Productivity

This is arguably the most beneficial reason for team building. Productivity or the high rate of it is very necessary for any organisation and the staff are the link or agents of productivity, hence, keeping them dissatisfied would hinder growth in the organisation. Team building activities give employees the breaks they need from work, helps them clear their minds and invariably helps them stay focused on their work when they return to it.

Conclusively, building a successful team is an important factor in the growth and development of an organisation and it is the duty of the employer to ensure that his staff are oriented to the point that productivity is the utmost goal. The fact is that the growth or stagnancy of an organisation depends on the employees, their dedication and zeal would determine if such organisation would move forward or not. Thus, team building activities are highly recommended to foster oneness and a sense of responsibility among employees.